If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that dads are notoriously hard to shop for. And with Father’s Day fast-approaching (it’s just a little over one week away), it’s no surprise that our collective stress is at an all-time high.
It’s very likely, given the time crunch, that you might even take the easy route and pick up a gift card to their home improvement retailer of choice. But if we caught you in the nick of time, let us give you one piece of advice: you can’t go wrong with a fresh pair of sneakers, especially if the grass stains on your dad’s shoes are getting just a bit too green.
If you’re not sure where to start, you’re in luck. We’ve done much of the groundwork for you, selecting some of our favorite “dad shoes” currently on the market, all of which look just as good as they are comfortable.
The term “dad shoe” most definitely conjures to mind images of the Nike Monarch IV. The Swoosh staple even caught the attention of Martine Rose, who produced a collaborative take on the silhouette back in 2019. Those might be a bit too much for your fatherly figure, though, but they should be more than comfortable with any of the colorways below.
Where to Buy
- Air Monarch IVWhite/Metallic Silver
- Air Monarch IVBlack/Black
- Air Monarch IVWhite/Black
- Air Monarch IVCool Grey/Anthracite
Some would argue that New Balance started the “dad shoe” trend (and they’re not exactly wrong). And while it’s likely that your fatherly figure has a pair in their rotation, it couldn’t hurt to upgrade them to the latest in the 990 series: the 990v6.
Where to Buy
Having been around for over a century, Saucony is nothing short of a household name. Their catalog is chock-full of great options, including the comfortable and extremely lightweight ProGrid Triumph 4.
Where to Buy
- ProGrid Triumph 4Tie-Dye
- ProGrid Triumph 4Black/Silver
- ProGrid Triumph 4White/Silver
- ProGrid Triumph 4Yellow/Silver
Speaking of household names, the Reebok Club C stands alongside the most prolific sneakers of all-time. And if your fatherly figure prefers their sneakers white and clean, there’s few choices better than this ’80s tennis icon.
Where to Buy
The ASICS EX89 is the perfect blend of old and new. Borrowing heritage influences from the GEL-EXTREME — a basketball shoe from 1989 — the silhouette is easily one of the Japanese footwear brand’s most compelling “dad shoes.” It even received a cosign from Ronnie Fieg… though you might have to fill your dad in on who exactly that is.
Where to Buy